Bud Powell
Piano Solo on
Cheryl

About

Bud Powell's piano solo is the 3rd of 4 on this recording, spanning two choruses at approximately 178 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 12-bar Blues form and the key of C, the solo navigates the chord changes with purpose. Positioned between Miles Davis and Tommy Potter, Powell bridges the conversation between the two. Davis's three choruses show his growing confidence as an improviser, and Powell's two-chorus solo displays the percussive, harmonically advanced piano style that was revolutionizing the instrument. The unhurried tempo lets the soloist breathe between phrases and build ideas organically.

Bud Powell was 22 to 23 years old at the time.